First Aid for Animal Bites

Animal bites can range from small scratches to deep wounds. They may come from household pets, farm animals, or wild creatures. While some bites are minor and heal on their own, others can cause serious infections, including rabies, and require prompt medical care. Knowing how to treat an animal bite properly reduces your risk of complications and helps prevent further injury.

Types of Animal Bites and Their Risks

Different animals can cause different complications. Domestic dog and cat bites are the most common and usually happen during play or when the animal feels threatened. Dog bites tend to tear the skin and can involve deeper tissue. Cat bites, although smaller, often puncture deeply and may trap bacteria under the skin, increasing infection risk.

Farm animals like pigs, cows, and goats may bite when provoked or scared, and these bites can carry rare but serious infections such as brucellosis or tetanus. Wild animals—raccoons, foxes, bats, or skunks—pose a higher risk of transmitting rabies. Exotic pets such as monkeys, reptiles, or birds can also carry uncommon bacteria or viruses, including salmonella or herpes B virus (in macaques).

Marine animals like seals or large fish can also bite. Though rare, their bites may require special treatment depending on the environment and the type of bacteria involved.

Symptoms to Watch For

While bite wounds can look mild at first, it’s important to watch for signs of a more serious problem. These include:

Redness or swelling that spreads
Increasing pain or warmth around the bite site
Pus or discharge, which may be yellow or green
Swollen lymph nodes, especially near the wound
Fever or chills
Limited movement or numbness near the bite area

In some cases, infection may take 12 to 24 hours to show symptoms, especially with deep puncture wounds.

What You Can Do at Home

If you or someone else is bitten:

Wash the wound immediately with warm water and soap for at least five minutes.
Apply direct pressure with a clean cloth or gauze to stop bleeding.
Apply antibiotic ointment and cover the area with a sterile bandage.
Keep the wound elevated if possible to reduce swelling.
Monitor the bite site for any signs of infection.

Avoid using hydrogen peroxide on deep wounds—it can slow healing. If you are allergic to antibiotic ointments, petroleum jelly is a good alternative to keep the area moist.

Rabies Risk and Prevention

Rabies is a viral infection that affects the nervous system and is almost always fatal once symptoms appear. If the biting animal is wild or its vaccination status is unknown, assume there’s a risk of rabies. You should:

Contact your doctor immediately.
Report the bite to animal control.
Start post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) if advised by a healthcare provider.

Symptoms of rabies may take days or weeks to appear and include confusion, agitation, fear of water, or paralysis. Bites from bats, foxes, raccoons, and skunks are considered high-risk, even if the wound seems small.

When to Seek Medical Attention

Call a healthcare provider or visit urgent care if:

The bite is deep, bleeding heavily, or located on the face, hands, feet, or genitals.
There is a high risk of infection or rabies.
You haven’t had a tetanus shot in the last 5 years.
Swelling, pus, or red streaks develop around the wound.
You feel generally unwell or develop a fever after the bite.

Infants, older adults, and people with weakened immune systems may need faster intervention.

Medical Treatment Options

Doctors may treat bite wounds by:

Prescribing antibiotics, especially for cat bites or wounds that show early infection.
Administering a tetanus booster, if needed.
Giving rabies shots (post-exposure prophylaxis).
Cleaning and suturing the wound, if necessary.
Referring the case to animal control, especially if the animal was wild or aggressive.

Prevention Tips

You can reduce your risk of animal bites with simple precautions:

Avoid approaching unfamiliar animals, especially if they seem scared, injured, or aggressive.
Never leave small children unsupervised with pets.
Teach children to respect animals and avoid rough play.
Keep pets vaccinated, especially against rabies.
Use caution around animals while feeding them, and avoid startling pets while they are sleeping or eating.
Wear gloves when working around wildlife, farm animals, or stray animals.

Final Note: Even when a bite looks minor, there may be deeper tissue damage or hidden infection. Acting quickly can help prevent serious complications and ensure proper wound healing.